12 Apr Block Schedule in High School? For the Win!
Feeling scattered by the fast-paced schedule of your high school day? Want to continue learning a new concept only to be told it’s time to pack up, switch gears and do something completely different? Slow down, take a breath, and learn how the School for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SET High) gives you time to focus on your life and academic passions!
At our free public high school we believe in an intensely personal approach to education. Our 9th-12th grade students create unique course schedules based on their passions and standards-based requirements. This flexibility gives our students freedom to pursue an education that allows them to thrive, especially considering our productive schedule structure.
Our WASC accredited California Distinguished School operates on a modified 4×4 block schedule. A popular alternative to the traditional 7-8 period school day, this schedule offers numerous benefits for both the students and teachers.
Block Scheduling = Uninterrupted Focus
Our students only take five classes at a time and a full year of material is covered in one semester. Students get 73 minutes of instruction time instead of 45-50 each class. This allows students to be active participants and delve deeper into the material, ask more questions, and spend more time collaborating with classmates.
“We like the block schedule because students have fewer classes that they are taking simultaneously so it helps them focus, and it gives us more time during class to fit in projects,” said Dr. Neil McCurdy, SET High Principal. “In a typical school schedule, the classes are so short that the students would be cleaning up from their project shortly after getting started.”
More Time in Class = Math Success
SET’s modified 4×4 block schedule solves the math problem that a traditional block schedule may face. Typically in a 4×4 block schedule, students struggle with math after taking a semester off the subject. However, at SET High, we modified how our block scheduling works and require math every semester so it’s always fresh.
Our small public school teaches California’s UC A-G requirements needed to be accepted into a California state university. We’ve also added advanced classes like Calculus and Statistics. In addition, we offer Flex Math that helps students who need extra time in foundational classes like Algebra and Geometry to be successful.
“Most of our math classes are year-long so that students can get some extra soak time with math, but we do have a couple of acceleration points (Pre-Calc and Calculus, for example) where the student gets two years of math in one year,” explained Dr. McCurdy.
Variety of Learning Methods = Engaged Students
The block schedule gives our small school flexibility with scheduling so students can easily accelerate or get caught up as is appropriate for their learning style.
Teachers benefit from our block schedule too. They have more time to plan classes, strategize with colleagues, and offer one-on-one time with students.
Instead of having a stream of students coming and going in a short period of time, teachers spend time developing relationships with students.
Because of a longer class period, teachers can further a student’s engagement by setting up a ChatGPT session or finding supplemental materials that are related. Personalized and fulfilling learning is what sets SET High apart!
Shadow Day
If you want to see for yourself how the modified 4×4 block can benefit your high school learning journey, we invite you to schedule a shadow day with us. At tuition-free SET High we’re proud to be an engaging high school, enabling innovators and dream chasers to thrive in an increasingly global, technology-driven society. Join us, enrolling now!
About SET High
SET High offers each student individual attention from multi-talented, highly qualified teachers. Students build a healthy camaraderie with classmates inside an intellectually rigorous environment that brings out their talents and personality, helping them develop their individual character and direction in life. With a wide variety of electives, flexible scheduling, dual enrollment college classes and more — our students regularly exceed their academic and personal expectations. Enroll now.